Earth-skimming air vehicle with pressure responsive valve means



Oct. 8, 1963 C. W. BOLLUM, SR EARTH-SKIMMING AIR VEHICLE WITH PRESSURERESPONSIVE VALVE MEANS Filed nec. 16,1959

8 Sheets-Sheet 1 r. Y n.5 E m N N m on m u n 2 2 my A 5 W Y bl b fo w .D,/Q W m ma m/ u/ m m/ l b. ,/7 5

B a we 2 2 Oct. 8, 1963 c. w. BOLL-UM, sR 3,106,260

EARTH-SKIMMING AIR VEHICLE WITH PRESSURE RESPONSIVE VALVE MEANS FiledDec. 16, 1.959 8 Sheets-Sheet 2` FIG. 8

INVENToR. 6dr/ W. BO//L/m, Sr.

ATTORNEY Oct. 8, 1963 c. w. BoLLuM, sR 3,106,260

EARTH-SKIMMING AIR VEHICLE WITH PRESSURE RESPONSIVE VALVE MEANS y{":Lled Dec.v 16, 1,959 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TOR.

W627i 5r.

A TTOHNE Y Oct. 8, 1963 c. w. BoLLUM, sR

EARTH-SEMAINE vAIR VEHICLE WITH PRESSURE RESPONSIVE VALVE MEANS FiledDes. 16, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 `A TTOR/VEY Oct. 8, 1963 c. w. BOLLUMQSR3,106,260 EARTH-summe AIR vEEIcLE WITH PRESSURE RESPONSIVE VALVE MEANSFiled D60. 16, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR.

(Jar/W 50// m Sn ATTORNEY Oct. 8, 1963 c. w. BOLLUM, sR 3,105,260

EARTH-SKIMMING AIR VEHICLE WITH PRESSURE RESPONSIVE VALVE MEANS FiledDec. 1e, 1959 a sheets-sheet e INVENTOR. 0dr/ W ATTORNEY Oct. 8, 1963 c.w. BoLLUM, sR 3,106,250

EARTH-SKIMMING AIR VEHICLE WITH PRESSURE RESPONSIVE VALVE MEANS 8Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed D60. 16, 1959 IN1/Emol@ Carl W. BO//a/m, Sn zu 5mATTORNEY Oct. 8, 1963 c. w. BoLLuM, sR 3,106,250

EARTH-SKIMMING AIR VEHICLE WITH PRESSURE RESPONSIVE VALVE MEANS Filednec. 1e. 1959v 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 267( GROSS ESTIMATED WEIGHT 0F VEN/CLE/IV POUNDS THREE avm/55m IBA W 5INZINTOR.S

um, n my ar/l da ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,106,260EARTH-SKIMMING AIR VEHICLE WITH PRES- SURE RESPONSIVE VALVE MEANS CarlW. Bollnm, Sr., Bethesda, Md., assigner, by mesne assignments, to CarwilEnterprises, Incorporated, Daytona Beach, Fla.

Filed Dec. 16, 1959, Ser. No. 859,909 9 Claims. (Cl. 180-7) Thisinvention relates to earth skimming air vehicles and more particularlyto vehicles which are equipped with means on board for delivering gas toa compression chamber underneath the vehicle body for raising thevehicle to a low elevation above the surface of the earth and sustainingthe vehicle in the air for travel.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a vehicle havinga gas compression chamber underneath the body of the vehicle and powerlift means mounted on board for delivering gas through aplurali-ty of`ducts and selectively through less than all of the ducts to the `gas`compression chamber to sustain the vehicle in the air, there beingvalve means in `the gas ducts for opening the ducts when the power .liftmeans is driven to move gas into the compressionchamber through theducts, and for opening the remaining of the ducts when the power liftmeans is operated to move gas into the compression chamber through lessthan all of the ducts,

thus preventing escape of gas through any duct of the` duct-swhich isnot being used while the vehicle is operating.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a gas-sustainedvehicle in which a plurality of power lif-t units and related gas ductsare provided for delivering gas to a compression chamber of the vehiclein adequate volume to developl a lifting pressure underneath the vehicleand sustain it in the air, the power lift units being separablyioperable so that all or less than all of the units may be put intooperation to deliver the gas to the compression chamber for lifting andsustaining the craft, the vehicle having 'gas duct closure means wherebyeach gas duct allied with the power lift units is adapted to beautomatically opened for delivering the gas into the compressionchamberand automatically closed when not delivering gas into thechamber, so that the gas actually moved into the compres-sion chamber iseffective for its intended purpose.V

Another object of this invention is that of providing an air liftedmotor vehicle inV which air pumps and corresponding air ducts areemployed for supplying air from outside Ythe vehicle to a compressionchamber underneath the vehicle body, the air pumps beingfselectivelydriven to produce varying maximum ilifting capacities of the vehicledepending upon the number of pumps operated, and in which the pumps maybe Vsafely brought into operation to add air to the compression chamberwhile valves for the air ducts eifectively closeany of the ducts whichat any particular time of operation of the vehicle are not deliveringpumped a-ir tothe compression chamber.

A further object of this invention is the provision f an air-sustainedvehicle of the character indicated in which the air duct closure mean-sis responsive to pressures developed by the air pump means against theclosure means in favor of opening the valves and accordingly the ductsfor air to be delivered to :the compression chamber.

Another object of this invention is that of providing a vehicle of thecharacter indicated in which the air duct closure means includes valvesnormally biased to closed ,position in the related air ducts and inwhich the valves are forced fopen by pressures developed by oor-3,106,260 Patented Oct. 8, 1963V Y ICC 2 responding pumps when the pumpsare operating in favor of delivering air to the compression chamber.

Another object is the provision of a vehicle of the character indicatedin which the closure `means in the ducts corresponding to'the power liftunits are operative by gas pressure for opening the related ducts andare responsive to spring bias to close the ducts in the absence ofoperation of the corresponding power lift units.

Other objects of the inventionrin part will be obvious and in partpointed out more fully hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawing, representing a vehicle embodying thepresent invention, and in which like reference characters denote likecomponents throughout the several figures:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle embodying my invention;

iFIGURE 2 is a full plan view corresponding to FIG` Y resentations offramework of one of the supplemental area-increasing sections and of oneof the lift air inlet sections of the platform;

FIGURE 6 is a plan detail view of an air shut-off valve of the vehicleplatform and represents a closed condition of the valve;

FIGURE 7 is a view corresponding to `FIGURE 6 and represents the valvein open position as viewed in transverse section yalong li-ne B-B in thelatter iigure;

FIGURE 8 is a detail view in perspective of one of the posts employed inthe platform framework;

FIGURE 9 is 4a transverse vertical sectional elevation along line B-B inFIGURE 2 and representing certain `aft portions of the vehicle in fullelevation;

FIGURE l0 is a longitudinal vertical elevation of vehicle and itsplatform, partially in section in accordance with line C-C in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 1l is a perspective view of one of the forward corner sections of|the vehicle platform with the covering and iilling of the sectionpartially removed to expose inner structure;

FIGURE 12 is a perspective fragmentary view of structure includingseveral longitudinal sections of theV skirt, and the adjacent peripheraledge of the vehicle platform;

FIGURE 13 is a transverse vertical elevation corresponding to FIGURE 12and with an extension of the deck surface in place; p

FIGURE l4`is a horizontal .sectional view of the sections of the skirtonline C-C in FIGURE 12;

IFIGURE l5 is a perspective partially broken away view of the bowsection of the vehicle platform; and

FIGURE 16 is a chart comparing certain conditions of operation of aparticular vehicle constructed in accordance with the prt-nentinvention. Y

yIn accordance with the practice 'of this invention, gassustai-nedvehicles are provided having powerful vertical lift ycapabilities whencarrying a load, such as a pilot with or without a crew and cargo. Thebody of the vehicle defines a gas compression chamber wherein theceiling of the chamber is the underneath side of the body. Power liftmeans of the vehicle delivers gas to the compression chamber andmaintains the gas in the chamber at a pressure which lifts the vehicleinto the air and accordingly renders the vehicle gas pressure sustained.Also associ-ated with the vehicle and carried by the same are propellingand steering means, by operation of which the craft can travel at lowelevations above the surface from which it is raised by the air pressureand be guided. While the craft is in the fair, the gas under the bodycontinuously escapes between a fgap formed by the lower edge of thevehicle body and the surface above which the craft is elevated, and theescaping gas is continuously replaced by `additional gas being deliveredto the compression chamber 'by the power lift means. The vehicileaccordingly is levitated within a permissible range of low elevations,the elevations being controlled by the volume of gas sustained under thevehicle. When the craft is to be brought down, such as onto land orwater, the gas delivered by the power lift means is diminished i-neffective quantity such as by throttling, and as the volume of gas underthe vehicle diminishes, the craft lsettles down to earth.

Several air pumps, or other power lift units such as jet or rocketengines, turbo-compressors or other units in which the gas deliveringproperties are suitably controlled, for supplying the lifting gas to thecompression chamber of the vehicle, importantly are 'allied with gasshut-oli' valves which may be operated to close off the compressionchamber against flow back of gas through the gas inlet passages and maybe operated to open those passages. When any of the air pumps or otherpower lift units is out fof use, the related shut-olf valve means isclosed thus contributing greatly to efficiency of operation of the craftin the sense that escape of gas in the compression chamber through thegas inllet passage Iassociated with any idle gas delivering unit isblocked. Benefit is derived by selecting and operating the particularnumber of power lift units needed for a particular power demand thus tolift the vehicle with the load aboard. There are of course occasionswhere the loads employed on ythe vehicle are relatively light and areduced capacity for delivering lift gas to the compression chamber ispermissible to sustain proper lift of the vehicle. Under theseconditions, therefore, at least one of the units is put into operationto deliver the gas to the compression chamber and the unit or units notbeing used are associated with delivery passages which are effectivelyclosed by the related gas shut-off valves to prevent the escape of gasthrough those passages yfromy the compression chamber. Thus, consistentwith lift capabilities ydemanded and afforded, the operational eiciencyis very satisfactorily maintained while the gas being delivered for thelifting function serves that function based on the use of a given amountof equipment. A considerable latitude over power lift operationaccordingly is made possible and the closure means allied with the liftunits is available for being set to positions in the gas inlet passagesconsistent with power demands for sustaining the craft in the air.

Referring now to the embodiment of the present invention represented inthe accompanying drawings, a hydro-air vehicle, rdesignated generally byreference numeral 10, includes a body which comprises a platform 11having a skirt 12 extending completely around the perimeter of theplatform. A deck surface 13 of the platform is generally parallel tobottom surface 14 of the platform (see FIGURES 9 and 10) while the skirtextends substantially normal to "both of these surfaces and for exampleprojects below the bottom surface 14 a distance which is approximatelyequal to the thickness or height of the platform. Skirt 12 forms an aircompression chamber a having the bottom surface 14 of the platform for-a ceiling.

Platform 11 advantageously includes a plurality of interconnectedprefabricated sections which when assembled contribute the top decksurface area 13 and bottom air pressure surface area 14 of the vehicle.These sections in the present embodiment include four generallyrectangular lift air inlet platform sections 15 (see FIG- URE 2) whichhave passages through the body from top side to bottom side for air tobe fed into the compression chamber 10a. Further, the platform 11includes four generally rectangular supplemental platform areaincreasingsections 20 which illustratively have the same outside dimensions as thelift air inlet sections 15. Sections 20 are situated in pairs onopposite sides of the longitudinal center iine of the vehicle and havetheir ends interconnected along that center line and along a line whichis transverse to the center line. Two of the lift air inlet platformsections 15 are situated forward of the supplemental platformarea-increasing sections 20 and have adjacent ends interconnected at thelongitudinal center line of the craft and aft edges interconnected toforward edges of the adjacent area-increasing sections. The other twolift lair inlet platform sections are disposed aft with respect to thesections 20r and have edges interconnected along the center line of thecraft. Forwand edges of the latter two lift air inlet platform sectionsare respectively connected to aft edges of the adjacent area-increasingsections 20.

Forward of the other sections just mentioned -is a cabin platformsection 21 of .the vehicle, which section is rectangular in plan andconveniently is of the same outside dimensions as the sections 15 and20. The cabin platform section has its aft edge connected to :theforward edge of the adjacent lift air inlet platform sections and is`disposed generally symmetrically with respect to those sections as tobe substantially bisected by the longitudinal center line of the craft.Erected on the cabin platform section and over the platform areaafforded by that section is a housing 22 which affords the cabin proper.The housing includes a front wall 23, La back wall 24, and opposite sidewalls 25 and 26. The front or forward wall is in )two principal sections23a and 23h which are anguiarly 1disposed with respect to each other,forming an apex at about the longitudinal center line of the craft andextending backward toward the opposite sides of the platform 11. Thefront wall has windows to afford forward view from inside the cabin. Anaccess door 27 is provided in side wall 23a and if desired the sidewalls and rear walls may be glazed for view and light. A top deck orroof 28 is supported 'by the several walls to cover the cabin area.

Platform 11 also includes two forward corner sections 29 and 30connected to the forward edges of the adjacent lift air inlet sections15 and having edges interconnected to the opposite side edges of thecabin platform section. The corner sections are right hand and left handcounterparts and Ihave like dimensions so as to produce a symmetricalplatform 11. Corner sections `29 and 30 are generally triangular in planand are of a size which establishes outer peripheral edge continuity ofthe platform from the outer peripheral edge of the adjacent lift airinlet platform section to the forward edge of the cabin section.

At the aft end of the vehicle is a rectangular propulsion platformsection 32 having outside dimensions which conveniently are the same asthe outside `dimensions of the lift air inlet platform sections 15, thesupplemental platform area-increasing sections 20, and the cabinplatform section 21. The propulsion section has its forward edgeabutting the aft edges of the adjacent lift air inlet platform sectionsand is interconnected with these sections in a position where thelongitudinal center line of the craft substantially bisects thepropulsion section.

The platform sections 40 and 41 form portions of the platform 11 at theaft end of the vehicle. These corner sections are as wide and half aslong as the propulsion platform section 32 and have forward edgesconnected to corresponding aft edges of the adjacent lift air inletplatform sections 15 and inside edges connected to opposite end edges ofthe propulsion platform section 32.

In all, the platform 11 therefore is generally rectangular Y in plan.edges of the various sections which occur outside the platform on theperimeter of the platform conveniently allow longitudinal sections vofthe skirt I12 to be attached to the platform. Sometimes, certain of theplatform :sections have their corresponding lengths `of :the skirt 12preabricated and attached to a given platform section prior to the timethat the platform of the `vehicle is as-4 sembled from the varioussections employed. Thus, for example, all of the corner sections Z9, 30,40, and 41 of the platform` are sometimes prefabricated as independentsections which already includes lengths of the skirt along the sides oredges of those sections which are to occur outside the platform 11. Thenafter assembling all of the sections of the platform in their properrelations, remaining lengths of the skirt are added by attachment to theoutside edges of the lift air inlet sections 15, supplementalarea-increasing platform sections 20, cabin section 211, and propulsionsection 32.

Each of the supplemental platform area-increasing sections 20 (seeFIGURES 3, 4, and 4a) is characterized by having rectangular top andbottom frame portions 50 and 50 of like outside dimensions. Each of thetop frame portions 50 includes a pair of spaced parallel longitudinalchannel members 53 'and an opposite pair of channel members 54 extendingtransversely to the l-ongitudinal members and joined at the ends to theends of those members. The bottom frame portion likewise includes a pairof spaced parallel longitudinal channel' members 53 joined at the endsby the transverse channel members 54. The flanges of the channel membersare generally horizontal and are directed toward the inside of theplatform section. Supporting the bottom flanges of the `channel membersof the upper frame portion from the top flanges of thechannel member ofthe bottom frame portion are a plurality of vertical posts 55 laterallyspaced from each other at suitable distances around the perimeter of theplatform section. These posts (see -FIG- URE 8) includes angle members56 and 57 at their opposite ends, which angle members have horizontallegs 56a and` 57a be-aring against the flanges of the correspondingchannel members of the top and bottom frame portions while vertical legs6b and 57b of the angle members are attached as by welding respectivelyto top and bottom ends of strut plates 58 and 59 of the post which liealong opposite sides of the edges of the vertical legs of the anglemembers. The outside surfaces ofthe strut plates and vertical legs ofthe angle members lie -in a vertical plane which is substantiallyparallel t-o a plane which includes the vertical` webs of thecorresponding longitudinal or transverse channel members of the up-v perand lower rectangularfrarne portions of the platform section, dependingupon whether the posts are situated along transverse channel members 54and 54 or longitudinal channel members 53v and 5-3" of those frameportions. Each of the posts also includes a vertical channel member 60extending the whole distance between the upper and lower horizontal legs56a and 57a of the angle members of the post, land .the vertical channelmember Vopens toward the outside of the platform section and affordslegs '60a and `60h which are Welded t-o the inside surfaces of the strutplates 58 and 59. Accordingly, the vertical channel member closes offthe space that is inside the platform section 20 from the outside of thesection. A strip of thin gauge sheet metal 61 covers a space existingbetween the vertical legs 56h and 57b of the angle members of each ofthe posts 55 inthe platform section and extends the fulliperimeter ofthe platform section; A top rail 62 (see FIGURES 3 and 4) made of heavygauge sheet metal encloses the perimeter of the rectangular top frameportion 50 of the platform section and is secured t-o the webs of thechannel members 53 and 54 of the top frame portion such as by bolts 63at suitable intervals around the perimeter. The top rail has a re- Aswill be explained more fully hereinafter,`

verse angle extension which affords a top ledge 64 and the platformsection. Rim 65 is riveted at 3 3` to the posts 55. The ledge 64 of thet-op rail conveniently rests on the upper surface of the horizontal legof angle member 56a in each of the posts. Similarly, the platformsection 20 includes a bottom rail -66 formed of heavy gauge sheet metaland the bottom rail has a reverse angle extension forming a bottom ledge67 resting against the under surface o-f leg 57a in each of the verticalposts in the assembly and affording a lower rim 68 riveted at 34 to eachof the posts 55. Upper and lower rims 65 and 68 overlap the thin ,gaugemetal cover strip 61 continuously around the perimeter of the platformsection and the riveting of the rims to the posts also accomplishesaftixation of the cover strip thus closing off the interior of theplatform section and completing the peripheral side wall of the section20.

AThe lower rectangular frame portion 50' of the platform section iscovered at the bottom side of the section by metal sheet 70 of suitablegauge which is riveted at intervals or otherwise suitably aixed to thelower legs of .the longitudinal and transverse channel members of the`lower rectangular frame. For additional support and strengthening ofthe platform section, a set of spaced parallel channel beams 50a (seeFIGURES 4 and 4a) are conveniently introduced and connected to oppositechannel members 53' of the lower rectangular frame portion. Struts 50th'sometimes are added between beams 50a and running the distance betweenthe other pair of channel members 54 of the lower rectangular frameportion 50. further secured as by riveting to the inner frame portionsSla and Stlb of the lower rectangular frame portion 50.

' The deck surface of platform section 20 conveniently is provided by asheet metal covering 7|1 aixed to the top rectangular frame portion 50of the second. The sheet metal Ideck usually is made of a somewhatheavier gauge material than is the covering 70 on the under side of theplatform section especially when direct deck use is to be encountered.The `deck sheet may further b-e supported by a series of spaced channelmembers 50a extending between and interconnected lwith correspondingopposite outside channel members 53 of the top rectangular portion ofthe frame. These inner channel members of the Iframe may have lateralstruts 50h extending between -themselves and the other pair of oppositeoutside members 54 of the top rectangular portion of the frame.

The deck covering usually is affixed to the inside chan-` in the waterand in effect substantially eliminate space' which otherwise could-through leaks receive appreciable amounts of water in the platformsection, with the water unduly adding to .the vehicle load when thevehicle is airborne or is to rise from the earth in accordance with theavailable air lift capabilities. A preferred manner of assur-ingbuoyancy and water repellence and the retention of those propertiesresides in filling the available Space of the platform section with aclosed cell, lightweight resin foam 72, such as Styrofoam, whichpreserves its closed cellular watertight condition even in the presenceof water and accordingly will displace an equal volume of water. Thislling often is introduced in the majority in cake or bat form roughly toll the available space in the platform section. Rectangular sheets orcakes of the Ifoam illustratively are placed side by side in the spacefor this purpose while any remaining spaces between the foam cakesintroduced tand the inside surfaces of the platform section are iilledby Ifoaming further amounts of the resin in situ which for example.Bottom cover sheet 70 conveniently 4is` 7 bonds the cakes to the insidesurfaces of the platform section walls.

The cabin platform section 21, propulsion section 32, and each of thelift air inlet platform sections 15 of the vehicle also include top andbotto-m rectangular yframe portions t) and 50', vertical posts 55between these `frame portions, and structure including a thin gaugemetal strip 611 and top and bottom rails 62 and 66 with reverse angleextensions riveted to the posts through the 4sheet metal strip. Thisstructure has already been described with reference to the supplementarea-increasing platform ysections Ztl and accordingly will not bebrought fontn .again in full detail. The inside framework of each of thelift air inlet platform sections 15 (see FIGURES 5 and 5a) is modiliedto include top and bottom annular plates 75 and 76 in the top and bottominner framework of the section. A cylindrical air duct 73 of veryconsiderable diameter extends through the body of platform section 15and through the openings afforded by the annular plates 75 and 76 in thetop and bottom inner framework. Struts 77 are situated immediatelyagainst the duct wall surface that is exposed to the interior of theplatform section. The struts 77 and annular plates 75 and 76 aresuitably secured to each other at the upper and lower ends of the strutsand if desired the wall of the duct is connected to the struts, such asby riveting. For additional support and strengthening of the platformsection, a set of parallel channel beams 50a `are convenientlyintroduced and connected to opposite channel members 53 of the upperrectangular frame portion 50. Certain of these channel members 50a areinterrupted along their lengths and are suitably connected to the topannular plate 75. Lateral struts Sllb conveniently are added betweenbeams 55a and extending the distance between the other pair of channelmembers 54 forming the upper rectangular frame member 50. Some of thesestruts 5011 (see FIGURE 5a) have their ends connected to the top annularplate 75. Likewise, lower rectangular frame portion 50 of the platformsection 15 includes inner channel members 59a and lateral struts 50bassembled therewith with certain of the struts being discontinued at theduct 73 and connected to the annular plate 76. A bottom cover sheet 70extends over the bottom frame structure of the platform section and issecured to that structure as by riveting and also a top cover sheet 71extends over the top framework of the section and is secured in place asby riveting to the allied frame structure. The upper end of thecylindrical duct 73 is in the form of an arched outwardly extending rim73a and the rim includes an outer leg 73b. VLeg 73b conveniently abutscover sheet 71 at the outer end of the leg while the lower end of thecylindrical duct 73 abuts the inner surface of the bottom cover sheet 70and is welded to the latter sheet.

On the under side 14 of air inlet section 15 (see FIG- URES 6 and 7) anddisposed across the end of duct 73 is an anti-backflow closure and 'biasmeans including an air shut-off valve 156` having a rectangular frame151 of angular cross section. The Valve frame is secured in place onsection 15 by machine `screws 152. `Bridging the frame of lthe valve area plurality of parallel spaced rectangular slats 153 having stub shafts153e on their opposite ends, the latter ends extending into openings inthe vertical legs 151b of the frame and accordingly being jolurnaled inlthe frame. A transverse bar 154 pivotally connected to like edges ofthe slats 153 is biased by spring 155 of the anti-backow closure andbias means in -favor of moving all of the slats in unison on theirpivots until the slats overlap each other widthwise to close the openingformed by the rectangular frame and :accordingly close off duct 73 atthe lower end of the duct. The duct 73 thus is :substantially blockedagainst the escape of air from the compression chamber toward the topside of the platform 11. Biasing spring 155 is connected to arm 154a onone of the slats 153,

adjacent to the pivoted end of that slat, and thus can exert its biasupon the transverse bar of the closure valve assembly. The other end ofthe spring is affixed to frame 151 of the valve 150 by a lug 156. Thespring has suicient tension to maintain the slats 153 in the closingposition with respect to duct 73. The several lslats of the valve arerotatable against the bias of spring 155 on their respective pivots inthe yframe 151 to a position (see FIGURE 7) where they open the duct 73for air to enter the compression chamber 10a from above the platform 11.

An air lift pump 17 (see especially FIGURES 2 and 1'0) includes as apressurizing means a four -blade rotor 18 with the blades pitched infavor of delivering air from the deck side of the lift air inletplatform section 15 to the bottom or air pressure lift side of thesection, and the rotor or impeller has its shaft 79 journaled in top andbottom bearings 78 and 78 which are supported -by radial arms 80 and S0extending to the wall of the duct 73 and connected through the wall tothe vertical struts 77. A right angle gear box 16b mounted on the upperjournal frame of the pump has its output end connected to the pump shaft79 and is connected at the input end to a drive motor 16 such as of theinternal combustion engine type by means of a substantially horizontaldrive shaft 16a as represented in FIGURE 2. Motor 16 has a base,preferably resting on the deck surface of the platform section 15itself, and suitably connected to the underlying top members of theframe of the section. In the space lavailable inside lift air inletplatform section 15 advantageously is a fuel tank y81 (see FIGURE l0)suitably mounted to the inner framework of the section and having a lilltube y81a extending through the deck sheet 71 and covered by means of ascrew cap 81b. Further, the fuel tank and motor y16 have aninterconnecting fuel supply line `S2 so that fuel in the tank isavailable to the fuel pump of the motor for the motor to operate. Allremaining space inside lift air inlet platform section 15 preferably islled with foam resin or the like for reasons previously explained withreference to the supplemental area-increasing platform sections 20.

Air lift pump 17 is so disposed relative to the air shut-off Valve as toproduce a pressure differential in the duct 73 across the slats 153 ofthe valve, causing the valve to open against the bias of spring when therotor of the pump is being driven by means of motor 16 in a directionfavoring the input of ambient air above the vehicle platform 11 `throughthe duct into the compression chamber 10a. When pump 17 is stopped thebias of spring 155 prevails in favor of returning the slats to theiroverlapping positions with respect to each other thus for the duct to beclosed against back flow of air from the compression chamber. The otherair inlet sections 15 of the vehicle platform also have pumps 17 andpump driving motors 16 allied with air duct shut-off valves 150 andsince the structure of each of these platform sections illustratively isthe same as the sections 15 already described herein, the description ofeach of the sections need not be repeated.

Propulsion section 32 of the platform 11 of the vehicle conveniently isstructurally the same as each of the supplemental area-increasingsections 20 of the platform except that (see FIGURE 9) the propulsionsection is somewhat modified to accommodate propulsion equipment of thevehicle such as thrust-producing propellers 85 and 86 havingsubstantially horizontal shafts journaled as output shafts of L-gearboxes 87 and 88 respectively. The gear boxes are mounted on spiderframes 89 and 9i) which are forward of the propellers and attached toannular shroud frames 91 and 92 surrounding the respective propellers.The shroud frames of the propellers are suitably connected to innerfnamework of the propulsion section 31 and braces vgenerally representedat 93 also connect the gear boxes to the same platform section. Thepropellers have a driving motor 94 suitably anchored to the, platform11, preferably to the framework of the propulsion section itself. Thismotor has its drive shaft situated in the fore vand aft -direction ofthe vehicle and the drive shaft is operative through a T-gear box '95equipped with output shafts 95a and 95h (see FIGURE 2) which aredrivingly connected to the input sides of the L-gear boxes 87 and 88.The gearing arrangement employed may for example be of the type to causeboth propellers to rotate simultaneously in like directions or of thetype which causes the propellers `to operate simultaneously in opposeddirections. A fuel tank 96y (see FIGURE 10i) conveniently occupies partof the space within the body of the propulsion section and is equippedwith a ll tube 96a having a closure cap 96b above the surface of thedeck. A fuel line 97 interconnects the fuel tank and the motor so thatthe fuel pump of the motor can supply fuel for operation of the vehicle.The remaining volume of the interior of the propulsion sectionadvantageously is llled with foam resin to promote buoyancy of theplatform 11 on water.

It has been previously explained that the cabin section 21 of theplatform supports walls having a door and windows, and the cabin area iscovered by a roof. The cabin itself may be of prefabricated type anderected on the cabin platform section such as after the entire platformhas been assembled. The cabin platform section is adapted to accommodatethe erection of the cabin walls such as by having suitable cabin Wallattachment plates 21a (see FIGURE 10) covering the deck surface of thesection and suitably connected to the framework of the section throughthe deck. Structural details of the cabin platform section areotherwiseconveniently the same as that of one lof the supplementalarea-increasing sections 20. The space inside the cabin platform sectionladVantageously is filled with foam resin toV assure continued buoyanceof the platform when the vehicle is atloat on water.

An understanding of the structure of corner sections 29 land 30 of theplatform will be made clear through describing section 29, since thesections are rig-hthand and lefthand counterparts. Referring to cornersection 29 and more particularly to FIGURE ll, forward side 29a is acurved wall and the other two sides 29b |and 29C are planar andperpendicular to each other. The section conveniently includes top andbottom triangular frame portions 50 and 50'. The top and bottomtriangular frame portions are made up of channel members having theirwebs vertical and the legs extending toward the inside of the cornersection. Suitable top and bottom inner frame elements convenientlyare'ladded to the triangular frame components to contribute strength.FFhe side frame and walls of the generally triangular corner section 29,other than contributing to the generally triangular configuration of thesection, lare like the side frame and walls of rectangular platformsection 20 or of any of the other rectangular sections of the platform.Vertical posts 55 are interposed between the top and bottom triangularframe portions 50 and 51 and are laterally spaced from each other,receiving on the outside acover strip of thin gauge sheet metal 6\1which is overlapped by reverse angle extensions of top and bottom railmembers 62 and 66, the latter being fastened tothe webs of the channelmembers of the top and bottom triangular frame portions. Rivets 33 land`34 secure the reverse angle extensions and thin gauge metal strip tothe posts. Bottom and deck sheets 70 and 71 are carried suitablyattached to the lower land upper frame portions of the corner section.As for the aft corner sections 40 and 41 of the platform of the vehicle,these conveniently are rectangular and have framework and walls whichare the same as that described with reference to the supplementalareafincreasing sections 20 of the platform. This structure thereforeincludes top and bottom rectangular frame portions, posts, top andbottom rail members with reverse angle extensions covering a thin lgaugesheet metal strip. Bottom and deck sh'eets 70 and 71 are secured to therectangular fname portions as already described with reference to othersof the sections of the platform. Corner sections 29, 30, 40, and 41advantageously are buoyant on water and for example are filled with foamresin for buoyancy and to exclude water from the insides of thesections.

The various sections of the platform 11 heretofore described may bereadily assembled to produce a rigid platform structure and in thisregard attention now is directed to the upper and lower ledges 64 and 67(see for example FIGURE 3) amounting to peripheral extensions of themain top and bottom surface areas of the individual sections. 'Iheseledges have a series of apertures 64a and 67a along their lengths andthe apertures are vertically aligned with apertures 60e and 60e in thepost ends through the space afforded in each of the posts 55 of theframe structure. These spaces in `the posts occur by reason `of thevertical channel components of the posts which set apart thehollow postspace such as from the foam resin filling of the platform section whenthe filling is introduced to assure buoyance. Accordingly, long bolts110 have their shanks readily accommodated by the apertures in theled-ges and post ends. The head ends yl10n of the bolts illustrativelycorrespond to the top side of the platform while lthe lower Vends 110bof rhe bolts` threadedly receive corresponding nuts 111. In conjunctionwith the bolts, Vtop and bottom connecting plates 112 and 113 areemployed to bear against the top and bottom ledges of the platformsections for interconnecting the sections. These connecting plates eachhave two spaced parallel series of holes 11211 and 113:1 for the bolts110, and the holes in the series correspond to the apertures 64a and 67ain the ledges and the spaces available in the posts of adjacent platformsections. By iirst connecting the top and bottom plates 112 and 1:13 tothe top and bottom ledges 64 and 67 of a given one of the platformsections through the use of bolts and corresponding nuts 111, the Atopand bottom plates then form projections between which the top and bottomledges of the adj aoent platform section are received. In assembling thetwo platform sections, therefore, the side walls of the sections arebrought into abutment, andthe second section of the group then isfastened in place by the insertion of bolts `110 through the remainingother series of apertures in the top and bottom connecting plates 112and 113i with the bolts extending through the spaces afforded by thecorresponding posts 55 of the second section. Nuts 111 associated withthe lower ends of bolts complete the connection. It will be noted thatin the present embodiment spaces or troughs 1114 occur 'between the decklevels of several sections of the platform by reason of the ledgedetail. By covering these troughs with deck strips'` 115 and fasteningVthese strips in place to the upper fra-me portions of the platformsections, a platform 11 having a continuous deck including top sheets 71of the sections and strips 11'5 is achieved. The trough space often isutilized for housing pipes, cables, control wires or the like, such asfor remotely controlling steering and operation of the drive meansemployed for the'llift air pumps and the propulsion propellers. Invertedtroughs 114a incidentally occur in the present embodiment on theunderneath sides of the adjacent platform sections by reason of thebottom ledges of the platform sections. However, it is not importantthat the inverted troughs be covered. The main ceiling `area of thecompression chamber 10a includes the bottom cover sheets 70 of theplatform sections in the assembly, land the inverted troughs between thesections also contribute air pressure lift area for the ceiling.

Skirt 12 of the platfonm 11 advantageously is a laminated sheet metalstructure (see FIGURE 14) in which an intermediate layer 116 of theskirt is of corrugated sheet metal having ribs and the ribs extendvertically in the position of use of the skirt lon the vehicle. Thiscorrugated intermediate layer is between two outside sheet metal layers117 and 118 suitably bonded to the intermediate layer at the crests ofthe ribs of the intermediate layer. Sometimes the laminated body of theskirt is constructed having the intermediate layer embedded in a resin116a which fills the spaces between that layer and the outer layers 117and 118 and lbonds the outer layers in place in the composite. lOn oneface 11711 of the composite sheet and generally parallel to the top edgeof that sheet are spaced upper land lower skirt connector components 119and 120 (see FIGURE l2) such as in the form of upper and lower railmembers extending along the length of the composite sheet. The upper andlower rail members conveniently are angle members extending along thelength of the composite sheet and thus have legs 119a and 120aperpendicular to the surface of the composite sheet and legs 119b and1`2lb (see FIGURE 13) resting against the surface of the sheet andconnected to the laminated body as by rivets (not shown) at suitableintervals. The outwardly projecting legs 119a and 120:1 of the anglemembers are spaced apart a distance which is just slightly more than thedistance of spacing of the upper and lower ledges 64 and 67 heretoforedescribed with reference to the platform sec-tions of the vehicle. Thereare apertures 121 and 122 through the legs 11% and 120e of the anglemembers and the apertures are in vertical alignment and occur `atintervals which are equivalent to the spacing of bolt holes 64a and 67ain the upper and lower ledges of the platform sections. The skirt 12accordingly is secured to the side walls of the platform sections thatare exposed at the periphery of the platform after the platform sectionshave been assembled. Connection of the skirt is accomplished by usingbolts 123 (see FGURE 13) which are inserted through the apertures inlegs 119 and 120 of the skirt and in ledges 64 land 67 of the side wallsof the platform sections after applying the skirt so that the legs 119and 120 of the angle members receive the ledges 64 and 67 in a tongueand groove fashion. Captive nuts 123b on the underneath side of theangle member leg 12tlg receive threaded shank ends of the bolts 123y toattach the skirt in position on the edge of the platform.

Skirt 12 preferably is Prefabricated in sections 12a in terms of totallength of the sk irt. These lengths conveniently are made equivalent tothe lengths of the platfrom `sections which directly contribute toperiphery of the platform. The ends of the skirt lengths or sectionswhich are to be vertical in the assembly illustratively are built toinclude E-shaped edge forming components 125 (see FIGURE 12) and eachedge forming component has two of its legs 12511 `and 125b insertedbetween the outside sheet members 117 and 11S of the laminate andsuitably secured to these sheets such as by welding. An outermost leg125e of the E-member is outside the sheet 11S and is generally parallelto the outside surface of the section 12a. By installing the sections12a of the skirt so constructed, the E-members at the edges of the skirtlengths are brought into back to back abutment and the outside legs 125Cof the adjoining lengths of the skirt accommodate a C-rib 126 which forexample is moved down vertically while working from the deck of theplatform so as to engage the outer legs of the E-members and hold theadjoining lengths 12a of the skirt together along their full heights. Asuitable stop 126a may be provided on the upper end of the C-member toarrest vertical movement when the member has been slid in place alongthe full height of the skirt. The skirt assembling operations describedmay proceed all the way around the perimeter of the platform until theskirt 12 has been affixed to the outside wall of the platform.

A bow section 31 (see FIGURE 15) conveniently is provided to lendcontour to the front of the vehicle 10. This bow section in the presentembodiment is derived through prefabricating one of the lengths 12a ofthe vehicle skirt to form the Section. Thus, a skirt length 12a,including E-shaped vertical edge forming components 125, supportsadjacent to the top edge a triangular top frame 128 carrying a coverplate 129 that provides an extension of the deck of the vehicleplatform. The forward members 123e of the triangular top frame of thebow section come to a forward apex which is substantially on thelongitudinal center line of the vehicle. Secured to these forwardmembers at the apex is an inclined strut 139 having its lower endsuitably connected to the skirt section 12a near the lower edge of thesection centrally valong the length of the section. Bow plates 131 areconnected to the marginal portions of the opposite ends of the skirtsection. Further, the bow plates have edges joined to the inclined strut13) of the bow section 31 and upper edges of the plates 131 are joinedto members 128e of the triangular frame 128. Suitable bracing members132 may be added to the aft face of the bow skirt section 12a forreinforcement if desired.

When the bow section 3.1 is assembled to the forward edge of the cabinsection v21, such as in the manner of assembling the other skirtsections to the platform, a bow is had which involves the use of 'askirt section extending directly along the forward edge of the cabinplatform section. C-rib connectors 126 conveniently are utilized toengage the E-shaped edge forming components of the skirt length 12a inthe bow section to the adjacent E-shaped edge forming components of theskirt lengths corresponding to the platform corner sections 29 and 3tlg.

The air lift pump driving motors 16 and propeller motor 94 sometimes areinstalled on appropriate sections of the platform 11 of the vehiclebefore the platform sections are actually assembled into the platform,and in other instances installation is delayed until after the platformexists as a unit. When installed, the air lift pump motors 16 preferablyare supported directly on the corresponding air inlet propulsionsections 15 and propeller motor 94 on the propulsion platform section32, although other sections of the platform sometimes are availed uponfor supporting these same motors. The air lift pumps 17, air shut-offvalves 150, propellers S5 and 85, along with their supportingframeworks, are installed on the corresponding air inlet and propulsionsections before or yafter the platform is assembled, and like remarksapply to the walls of the cabin on the cabin platform section.

Thus it will be seen that through assembling various platform sectionsand yadding the skirt, a platform vehicle is easily obtained which ischaracterized on the underneath side by having an air compressionchamber 1Go. The ceiling of the compression chamber is formed by theunder surfaces of the platform sections and the side wall of the chamberis formed by the skirt. The lower edge of the skirt preferably is iauniform distance below the ceiling of the compression chamber of thevehicle.

In operation, the lift motors 16 of the vehicre are started and thesemotors drive the air pumps 17 in favor of having the pumps deliver airthrough their respective air ducts 73 down into the compression chamber19a. With the pumps in operation, air pressure is developed on the slatsof the air valves 151) in the ducts and the valves open the ductsagainst the bias of the related springs 155 and air from the pumpsaccordingly passes down into the compression chamber. As the pressure ofthe air builds up in the compression chamber, a unit pressure is reachedand applied against the ceiling of the compression chamber which issulhcient to cause the vehicle to rise from the surface of the earth.The lifting pressure of the air in pounds per square inch then exceedsthe opposing gross weight pressure of the vehicle in pounds per squareinch. The vehicle rises vertically until an equilibrium between thesepressures is established. At equilibrium height of the vehicle 1i), theair volume pumped into the compression chamber and the air volume whichescapes from under the lower edges of the skirt 12 are equal. The heightof the lower edge of the skirt above the surface `from which the vehiclehas risen l rudders.

snoepen 13 is an earth skimming height, in certain embodiments rangingup to several feet and is substantially `a linear function of airpumping capability of the vehicle and the load encountered. -In effect,an air cushion is formed under the vehicle platform and as this airwhich is under pressure leaks out below the skirt, the air is replacedin the compression chamber bythe pumps, and the platform and theremainder `of the vehicle accordingly are stably airborne. Once thisVair bearing or cushion has been lformed, it takes very little energy tomove the vehicle over the surface of the earth. This movement is readilyaccomplished by Imeans of the propulsion units. With the propulsionmotor 94 operating and driving the propellers 85 and `86 which |move thevehicle `10 forward under the substantially equal thrusts which thesepropellers produce, the pilot of the vehicle may accomplish steeredmovement of the cratft such as -by rudders 201 and 202 at the aft end ofthe platform and which are susceptible to remote control from the cabin.A steering wheel 200 in the cabin rotates with -a pulley 203 on itsshaft 204 and over this pulley a steering cable 205 is wound severaltimes for -frictional engagement. The cable is Vguided over suitableyguide pulleys 206 on the platform and the ends of the cable areconnected to the opposite ends of a transverse steering bar 207 pivotedto the respective,ruddersbehin-d the main pivots of the The steering bar207 accordingly linksV the rudders for conjoint rotation in parallelismto each other about their main pivots. The pilot therefore may steer thevehicle from the cabin by turning the steering Wheel, and thus settingthe rudders to desired course position with the aid of the steeringcable and the associated steering bar. yOther suitable steering means ofco-urse may be introduced if desired, such as through installinglongitudinal thrust propellers of variable pitch on the propulsionsection of the platform and introducing a pitch differential by suitablemeans Kfor steering.

In way of specific illustration, a vehicle in accordance with thepresent invention and equipped with `four air pumps vhaving bladedimpellers of six foot diameter, driven by four 4individuallycorresponding 270 HP.' Ford engines adapted for marine use, affords aplatform approximately 32 ,feet wide and 52 feet long for cargo use. Thegross weight of the vehicle is approximately fifteen thousand pounds andthe platform is about two feet thick, lassembled with a skirt projectingabout two feet below the ceiling of the air compression chamber underthe platform. vIn FIGURE 16, a graph is presented wherein gross`estimated weight in thousand of pounds of the vehicleis the abscissaand height of the lower edge of the skirt cfr thesurface of the earth ininches is the ordinate. The gross estimated weight takes `feet above theground. Of course, under the latter conditions of operations, 'all ofthe air duct valves are open so that air can be pumped by all of thepumps into the compression chamber.

into laccount the vehicle and cargo load. The vehicle will rise andbecome airborne with only one of the fou-r pumps on board in operation.Under these conditions, the air valve allied with-'the operating pump ismaintained open by the pump operation while the three air valvescorresponding to the three idle pumps are closed under spring bias ofthe valves. Thus, the air being delivered by the one operating pumppasses in to the compression chamber of the vehicle `and is effectivewithout appreciable back ow through the ducts associated with the idlepumps.

Since the pumps employed and their corresponding motors in accordancewith the graph are of like rating, the comparison of the effect `ofhaving one or more ,of the engines in operation can be compared. It willbe seen that with one of the lift pumps alone in operation at 750 r.p.m.under full throttle drive of its corresponding motor, the Vvcraft willbe airborne although the distance above the earth is considerably lessthan when `at least one additional pump is brought into operation. Foreach additional air pump made operative on board the vehicle, therelated air valve in the air delivery duct leading to the compressionchamber automatically opens while the valves Additional or fewer airlift inlet sections 15, with corresponding pumps 17 having motors 16 andair shut-off valves 150, may be employed in one of my air lift vehiclesdepending upon maximum cargo load and the desired maximum height of liftof the vehicle that is to be accomplished. Sometimes in accordance withthe invention the same rated platform area` is preserved underconditions of reduced available lifting power Yby substituting Vone ormore of Vthe area-increasing sections 20 for lift air inlet platformsections 15.` A very considerable exibility over yassembly exists onthis basis. The permissible variety of combinations of platform sectionsgives great latitude over the sizes and power capacities of theresulting vehicles. In omitting or adding certain of the platformsections to alter platform size, the skirt sections may likewisebeomitted or added, for example through standardizing the skirt sectionsizes commensurate with the lengths of the sides of the platformsections which contribute lto the periphery of the platform.

It will yalso be seen that by providing vehicles in accordance with thisinvention, which have platforms, whether sectional or otherwise, thatexclude Waterfrom the insides of the platforms and are buoyant in water,the vehicles have great value for marine use and usually along with thisproperty readily lend themselves to amphibian use. Thus, in certaininstances the buoyant platform vehicles are `employed to oat on water,rise above the water, and travel under propulsion to other points wherelandings are made on water or land. Some of the craft in accordance withthe invention are primarily for land use and while they can travel overwater should not be brought down on water. Therefore, in some instances,the property of buoy-ance of the platform for water use is sometimesdispensed with, still with very appreciable advantages being had throughthe construction of strictly land vehicles. Even in vehicles for overland use alone, a foam resin filling in the sections frequently is usedfor the `strength that it contributes to the platform. Sometimes, theskirts on the vehicles are employed as the landing gear, and for thisthe skirts are made strong enough to support the craft when the skirtedge contacts the ground. Vehicles which are built for use on wateradvantageously are constructed to remain afloat with reliance upon abuoyant platform, and the skirt conveniently immerses in the water whenthe craft is brought down.

As many possible embodiments may be made, and Aas many changes may -bemade in the embodiments hereinbefore set forth, it will be distinctlyunderstood that all matter described herein is Ito be interpretated asillustra- `tive and not as a limitation.

I claim: l

`l. In a motor vehicle adapted to be raised from the surface of theearth by gas pressure and to be propelled and steered While forming alift gap with said surface from low altitude, the combination whichincludes a body having a downwardly open compression chamber for gas onthe underneath side, a plurality of power lift units having intake sidesopen to the ambient air and output sides in communication with saidcompression chamber for said power lift units to move gas into thecompression chamber, all of said power lift units and less than all ofsaid power lift units being operable to lift and sustain the vehicle bythe pressure of gas delivered in said chamber and thus produce a gapbetween said body and the surface of the earth for gas to escape fromsaid chamber to atmosphere, and valves corresponding to said power liftunits, each valve opening said compression chamber to atmosphere throughthe corresponding power lift unit in response to operation of the latterto deliver gas into said compression chamber and closing saidcompression chamber against the back-Bow of gas from the compressionchamber through the corresponding power lift unit in response to saidcorresponding power lift unit being rendered idle with at least one ofsaid power lift units still operating, each of said valves including aplurality of slats having their opposite ends pivoted for said slats Itorotate, said slats themselves being interconnected for rotation to openposition in response to the corresponding power lift unit being operatedto deliver gas into the compression chamber and each of said valveshavingr `a biasing spring for rotating the slats thereof to closedposition when the corresponding power lift unit is rendered idle, forthe slats of the related valve to arrest back-flow of gas from thecompression chamber to atmosphere through `the corresponding power liftunit.

2. In a motor vehicle adapted to be raised from the surface of the earthby air'pressure and to be propelled and steered while forming a lift gapwith said surface at low altitude, the combination which comprises avehicle platform `affording a deck surface and an underneath surfacesubstantially parallel to said surface, a skirt carried by saidplatform, extending downwardly below said platform and forming an aircompression chamber having said underneath surface of said platform fora ceiling, a plurality of air ducts extending vertically through saidplatform and interconnecting said compression chamber with the `ambientair outside said chamber,pump means including rotary impellers havingvertically extending shafts on the vertical axes of said ducts andhaving blades in said ducts to move air into the compression chamber,motor means for rotating all of said impellers and less than all of saidimpellers to move air into said compression chamber through all of saidducts and through less than all of said ducts to lift and sustain thevehicle by the pressure of air delivered in said chamber and thusproduce a gap between the lower end of said skirt and the surface of thelatter for air to escape from said charnber to atmosphere, and aplurality of valves across said ducts, each of said valves including aplurality of slats having their opposite ends pivoted for said slats torotate between opening and closing posi-tions with respect to acorresponding 'one of said ducts, said slats themselves beinginterconnected for rotation in unison to duct opening position inresponse to air pressure produced as an incident to operation of saidpump means when said pump means is being operated to move air into saidcompression chamber through said ducts and each of said valves having -abiasing spring for rotating the slats of the valve into closing positionrelative to the corresponding duct when said duct is excluded from anoperation of said pump means to move air into said compression chamberthrough less than all of said ducts, thus arresting back-How of `airfrom the compression chamber to atmosphere through the correspondingduct excluded.

3. A ground effect machine adapted to be raised from a surface, saidmachine including a body having an upwardly extending downwardly openhollow underside, a plurality of inlets communicating with the samespace within said hollow underside and each open to the atmosphereambient to the machine, means for the machine to support itself in theatmosphere with said body forming a perimetrical gas escape gap withsaid surface, said means including a plurality of pressurizing meanseach in a corresponding one lof said inlets for moving gas from theatmosphere ambient to the machine through said inlet into said hollowunderside and maintaining gas under pressure in said hollow undersidehaving ground effect, and the machine further including anti-backowclosure and biasing means, said anti-backilow closure and biasing meanscomprising for each of said inlets gas pressure responsive valve meanscommunicating with said inlet for opening said inlet and for closingsaid inlet against the backilow of gas from said hollow undersidethrough said inlet to the atmosphere ambient to the machine, and saidanti-backi'low closure and biasing means further cornprising for each ofsaid inlets, means biasing said valve means to close said inlet againstbackilow of gas from said hollow underside through said inlet to theatmosphere ambient .to the machine, said pressurizing means and valvemeans of the inlet being in upstream-downstream communication with eachother and said valve means opening said inlet in response to pressuretransmitted in said inlet from said pressurizing means when saidpressurizing means corresponding to said inlet operates to move gas tosaid hollow underside against the bias of said means biasing said valvemea-ns of the inlet.

4. A ground effect machine as set forth in claim 3, wherein the machinecomprises a plurality of engines, and said plurality of pressurizingmeans include a plurality of air impellers each in a corresponding oneof said inlets, said impellers being separately operable and havingindependent driven connections with different ones of said engines.

5. A ground effect machine of claim 3, wherein selecltively all of saidplurality of pressurizing means and less than all of said plurality ofpressurizing means are operable for moving gas from the atmosphereambient to the machine respectively through all of said inlets andthrough the corresponding less than all of said inlets into said samespace within said hollow underside for the machine to support itself inthe atmosphere with said body forming a perimetrical gas escape gap withsaid surface, and said anti-backow closure and biasing means for anysaid inlet excluded from the movement of gas into said hollow undersidemaintains said inlet closed.

6. A ground elect machine adapted to be raised from a surface, saidmachine including a body having an upwardly extending downwardly openhollow underside, a plurality of inlets communicating with the samespace within said hollow underside and each open to the atmosphereambient to the machine, means for the machine to suppont itself in theatmosphere with said body forming a perimetrical gas escape gap withsaid surface, said means including a plurality lof gas pressurizingmeans each in a corresponding tone of said inlets for moving gas fromthe atmosphere ambient to the machine through said inlet into saidhollow underside and maintaining gas under pressure in said hollowunderside having ground effect, and the machine further includinganti-backflow closure and biasing means comprising for each of saidinlets a plurality of interconnected side-by-side coextending members,said members having their opposite ends pivoted relative to said inletfor said members to rotate opening said inlet in response to gaspressure, and said anti-backow closure and biasing means furthercomprising for each of said inlets, biasing means connected with saidmembers corresponding to said inlet and biasing said members normally toclose said inlet against backflow of gas from said hollow undersidethrough said inlet to the atmosphere ambient to the machine, saidpressurizing means and coextending members in said inlet being inupstream-downstream communication with each other and said coextendingmembers opening said inlet against said biasing means in response topressure transmitted in said inlet from said corresponding pressurizingmeans when said pressurizing means corresponding to said inlet operatesto move gas to said hollow underside.

7. A ground effect machine adapted to be raised from a surface, saidmachine including 'a body having an upwardly extending downwardly openhollow underside, a plurality of inlets communicating with the samespace within said hollow underside and each open to the atmosphereambient to the machine, means for the machine to support itself in theatmosphere with said body forming a perimetrical gas escape gap withsaid surface, said means including a plurality of air impellers, eachsaid air impeller being in a corresponding one of said inlets for movinggas from the atmosphere ambient to the ma chine through said inlet intosaid hollow underside and maintaining gas under pressune in said hollowunderside having ground eiiect, and the machine further includinganti-backow closure and biasing means comprising for each of said inletsla plurality of interconnected side-byside coexteuding members, saidmembers having their opposite ends pivoted relative to said inlet forsaid members to rotate opening said inlet -in response to gas pressure,and said anti-backilow closure and biasing means further comprising foreach of said inlets, bia-sing means connected with said membersandcorresponding to said inlet land biasing said members normally to closesaid inlet against backflow of gas from said hollow underside throughsaid inlet Ito the atmosphere ambient to the machine, said impeller andcoextending members in said inlet being in upstream-downstreamcommunication with each other and said coextending members opening saidinlet against said biasing meansin response t pressure transmitted insaid inlet from said corresponding impeller when said impellercorresponding to said inlet operates to move gas -to said hollowunderside.

8. A ground elect machine as set forth in claim 7, wherein the machinecomprises a plurality of engines, and said plurality of air impellersbeing separately operable and having independent driven connections withdifferent ones of said engines.

9. A ground effect vehicle adapted to be raised from a surface,saidrvehicle including a body having an upwardly extending downwardlyopen hollow underside, a plurality lof inlets communicating with thesame space within said hollow underside and each open to the atmosphereambient to the vehicle, means for vertically lifting, horizontallypropelling and steering the vehicle, said means including lift means forthe vehicle to vertically only 'and support itself with said bodyforming a perimetrical gas escape gap with said surface, said lift meansincluding a plurality of pressurizing means each in a corresponding oneof said inlets for moving gas from the atmosphere lambient lto themachine through said inlet into said hollow underside and maintaininggas under lift itself by gas pressure in the region of ground effectpressure in said hollow underside having ground eiect, and said meansfor vertically lifting, horizontally propelling and steering the vehiclefurther including horizontal propulsion and steering means forhorizontally propelling and steering the vehicle, and the vehiclefurther including anti-backflow closure and biasing means, saidanti-backow closure and biasing means comprising for each of said inletsgas pressure responsive valve means communicating With said inlet foropening said inlet and for lclosing said inlet against the backow of gasfrom said hollow underside through said inlet t-o the atmosphere ambientto the vehicle, and said anti-baciiflow closure and biasing .meansfurther comprising for each of said inlets, means biasing said valvemeans to close said inlet against backflcw of gas from `said hollowunderside through said inlet to the atmosphere ambient'to the vehicle,said pressurizing means yand valve means of the inlet being inupstream-downstream communication with each other and said valve meansopening said inlet in response to pressure transmitted in said inletfrom said pressurizing means when said pressurizing means correspondingto the inlet operates to move gas to said hollow underside against thebias oi said means biasing said valve means of the inlet.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHERREFERENCES Publication: Aviation Week, July 6, 1959, pages and 116.

Article appearing in Washington, D.C., Evening Star, issue of Oct. 9,1959, page B-8, columns 1 and 2, entitled Test Flight Nearing for AirBorne Boat.

3. A GROUND EFFECT MACHINE ADAPTED TO BE RAISED FROM A SURFACE, SAIDMACHINE INCLUDING A BODY HAVING AN UPWARDLY EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY OPENHOLLOW UNDERSIDE, A PLURALITY OF INLETS COMMUNICATING WITH THE SAMESPACE WITHIN SAID HOLLOW UNDERSIDE AND EACH OPEN TO THE ATMOSPHEREAMBIENT TO THE MACHINE, MEANS FOR THE MACHINE TO SUPPORT ITSELF IN THEATMOSPHERE WITH SAID BODY FORMING A PERIMETRICAL GAS ESCAPE GAP WITHSAID SURFACE, SAID MEANS INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF PRESSURIZING MEANSEACH IN A CORRESPONDING ONE OF SAID INLETS FOR MOVING GAS FROM THEATMOSPHERE AMBIENT TO THE MACHINE THROUGH SAID INLET INTO SAID HOLLOWUNDERSIDE AND MAINTAINING GAS UNDER PRESSURE IN SAID HOLLOW UNDERSIDEHAVING GROUND EFFECT, AND THE MACHINE FURTHER INCLUDING ANTI-BACKFLOWCLOSURE AND BIASING MEANS, SAID ANTI-BACKFLOW CLOSURE AND BIASING MEANSCOMPRISING FOR EACH OF SAID INLETS GAS PRESSURE RESPONSIVE VALVE MEANSCOMMUNICATING WITH SAID INLET FOR OPENING SAID INLET AND FOR CLOSINGSAID INLET AGAINST THE BACKFLOW OF GAS FROM SAID HOLLOW UNDERSIDETHROUGH SAID INLET TO THE ATMOSPHERE AMBIENT TO THE MACHINE, AND SAIDANTI-BACKFLOW CLOSURE AND BIASING MEANS FURTHER COMPRISING FOR EACH OFSAID INLETS, MEANS BIASING SAID VALVE MEANS TO CLOSE SAID INLET AGAINSTBACKFLOW OF GAS FROM SAID HOLLOW UNDERSIDE THROUGH SAID INLET TO THEATMOSPHERE AMBIENT TO THE MACHINE, SAID PRESSURIZING MEANS AND VALVEMEANS OF THE INLET BEING IN UPSTREAM-DOWNSTREAM COMMUNICATION WITH EACHOTHER AND SAID VALVE MEANS OPENING SAID INLET IN RESPONSE TO PRESSURETRANSMITTED IN SAID INLET FROM SAID PRESSURIZING MEANS WHEN SAIDPRESSURIZING MEANS CORRESPONDING TO SAID INLET OPERATES TO MOVE GAS TOSAID HOLLOW UNDERSIDE AGAINST THE BIAS OF SAID MEANS BIASING SAID VALVEMEANS OF THE INLET.